The North Carolina General Assembly has introduced legislation that will effectively end tenure for state teachers and move toward a pay-for-performance salary scale.

The process, which is expected to be fully implemented statewide by 2018, ultimately phases out longevity pay for teachers, resulting in some educators being denied the opportunity for due-process in the event that their employment is terminated.

In the last five years, the Macon County Board of Commissioners has only passed one ordinance. That is, one law, one regulation, one instance in a five-year period that spans at least four different combinations of commission boards where both parties have been in majority control.

While only implementing one new ordinance, the ordinance banning tobacco use on all county property, the Macon County Board of Commissioners has made a habit out of reducing existing ordinances and regulations, a point both Commission Chair Kevin Corbin and Commissioner Ronnie Beale drilled home Tuesday night.

"Since I have been on this board, I can think of four or five times we have reviewed existing ordinances and actually reduced them," said Corbin. "I personally am a firm believer in fewer government regulations and making sure that property owners can do anything, within the scope of the law, that they want to do on their own property."

By state statute, Macon County is responsible for providing funding for the Macon Campus of Southwestern Community College (SCC), and last year, Macon County did so to the tune of about $320,000.

While last year's county budget actually increased funds for expenses at the Macon Campus by about $40,000, the overall SCC allocation was decreased, something that apparently upset Jackson officials.

"I know the commissioners were disappointed with the $200,000 reduction in support by Macon County for SCC," said Jackson County manager Chuck Wooten. "I do believe there is concern among the [Jackson] commissioners with the idea of providing support to Macon following their action to reduce the support for the SCC budget."

A registered sex offender is behind bars in Macon County after being arrested for indecent liberties with a child.

Franklin Police Department received a report on March 28 involving suspected indecent liberties with a child. According to Franklin Police Chief David Adams, after investigating the report, which was submitted by the victim's grandmother, Anthony Godfrey, 56, was arrested at his residence without incident.

"Our detectives interviewed the suspect and after an investigation, made the arrest," said Adams. "The suspect is allegedly the boyfriend of the child's grandmother, who filed the report."